You get proud by practising

Power makes you proud, and power Comes in many fine forms Supple and rich as butterfly wings. It is music when you practise opening your mouth And liking what you hear Because it is the sound of your own True voice.

It is sunlight When you practise seeing Strength and beauty in everyone, Including yourself. It is dance when you practise knowing That what you do And the way you do it Is the right way for you And cannot be called wrong. All these hold More power than weapons or money Or lies?

Remember, you weren’t the one Who made you ashamed, But you are the one Who can make you proud. Just practise, Practise until you get proud, and once you are proud, Keep practising so you won’t forget. You get proud By practising.

from You get proud by practising by Laura Hershey, poet and disability activist.

This article is from
the February 2004 issue
of New Internationalist.
You can access the entire archive of over 500 issues with a digital subscription.
Subscribe today »

Help us produce more like this

Patreon is a platform that enables us to offer more to our readership. With a new podcast, eBooks, tote bags and magazine subscriptions on offer,
as well as early access to video and articles, we’re very excited about our Patreon! If you’re not on board yet then check it out here.